By Our Correspondent

National News – The Federal Government has ordered telecommunications operators in Nigeria to compensate subscribers experiencing poor network service, directing that affected users receive airtime credits when service quality falls below approved standards.

The directive was issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Sunday, March 29, 2026, as part of efforts to protect telecom consumers and improve service reliability across the country.

According to the NCC, Mobile Network Operators must compensate customers living in areas where network performance consistently fails to meet regulatory benchmarks.

The commission explained that the compensation will come in the form of airtime credits calculated based on each subscriber’s average spending pattern and their presence within local government areas experiencing service disruptions.

The regulator stated that the move aims to ensure telecom subscribers are not left to bear the burden of poor service delivery caused by network operators.

Telecommunications services, the commission noted, are now central to Nigeria’s economy, social interaction, and access to digital opportunities.

The NCC also directed tower companies that manage critical telecommunications infrastructure, such as network masts, to reinvest fines imposed on them into measurable infrastructure upgrades.

These improvements are expected to strengthen network capacity, boost service reliability, and meet Nigeria’s growing demand for digital communication services.

The commission emphasised that operators must continue investing in stronger infrastructure, expanded capacity, and resilient networks to support the nation’s digital economy.

It added that regulatory tools would be deployed to promote transparency, fairness, and accountability within Nigeria’s telecommunications industry while ensuring subscribers receive the quality of service they deserve.